Electric relay means



' June 6, 1944. H. w, LORD 2,350,785

ELECTRIC RELAY ME Original Filed May 31, 1940 Fig. 3.

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Inventor": Harold W. Lord,

His Attorne' tional magnetization Patented June 6, 1944 ELECTRIC RELAY MEANS Harold W. Lord, Schenectady, N. .Y., assignor to General Electric Company,

New York Original application May 31, 1940, Serial No.

and this application April 1,

338,000. Divided 1941, Serial No. 386,343

6 Claims.

My invention relates to electric apparatus, such as electric relay means.

This application is a division of my copending patent application, Serial No. 338,000, filed May 31, 1940, and which is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

In the protection of electric apparatus, such as electric valve apparatus, it is frequently desirable to provide protective means of simple construction and arrangement which is readily adaptable to a variety of structures in order to obtain an indicating or controlling operation in response to a predetermined electrical condition of associated apparatus. In accordance with the teachings of my invention described hereinafter, I provide a new and improved relay means and protective apparatus for electrical devices.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved control and protective system for electrical apparatus.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved electromagnetic relay selectively responsive to unidirectional magnetization of associated electrical apparatus.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and improved relay means associated with inductive apparatus which is arranged to operate in response to a magnetic condition of the apparatus and which is of simple construction and arrangement.

Briefly stated, in the illustrated embodiment of my invention, I provide a protective means, such as a relay means selectively responsive to the unidirectional magnetization or responsive to a magnetic condition of associated electrical apparatus. More particularly, I provide relay means which is selectively responsive to the unidirecsociated inductive apparatus and in which the relay is readily adaptable for mounting on the I core structure of the-apparatus. The relay means comprises a supporting frame which is mounted on or physically adjacent to the core structure of the induction apparatus and is arranged to be selectively responsive to the'unidirectional magnetization of the core structure.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of my invention as applied to a polyphase electric valve rectifying system. Figs 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of my invention including a a corporation of of the core member of as- -windings 4 and 5. An

protective relay means member or a current-dividing reactor and which is responsive to the unidirectional magnetization of the core member.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated my invention as applied to an electric valve converting system, such as a polyphase rectifier for energizing a direct current load circuit I from an alternating current supply circuit 2 throughelectric translating apparatus comprising a transformer-having primary windings 3 and groups of secondary interphase transformer I may be connected between the two groups of secondary windings so that the system operates as a double three-phase system. The translating apparatus also includes electric valves 1-", inelusive, which transmit current between the supply circuit and the load circuit. Electric valves LII are preferably of the type employing an ionizable medium, such as a gas or a vapor, and each comprises an anode IS, a cathode such as a mercury pool cathode 20, and may be of the type comprising an immersion-igniter control member 2| associated with instance, of course, where a mercury pool cathode is employed, the ionizable medium is mercury vapor. If desired, suitable switching means such as circuit breakers 22 may be connected in series relation with the electric valves 1-", inelusive.

In order to control the electric valve 1-" so that pairs of electric valves conduct current in parallel relationship, I provide current-dividing reactances or reactors 23-28, inclusive, associated with the respective pairs of electric valve means. Each of the reactors 23-28 is provided with winding 29 having terminal connections 30 and 3| and an electrically intermediate connection 32 so that the winding is divided into differential sections; that is, the current flowing through the respective portions of the winding tends to establish opposing magnetomotiveforces in the core members of the reactors.

As an agency for producing a controlling eilect when the electric valve means in each pair de-. parts from the normal or intended mode of operation, I provide means attached to the core mem-. bers of the reactors and which is responsive to the unidirectional magnetization of the core members. This means may comprise relays 33-" associated with the 23-2 8, respectively.

To obtain an indication or controlling eil'ect when either of the electric valve means in each associated with the core the cathode 20. In this core members of the reactors 2 pair departs from its normal or intended mode of operation, I employ a control circuit 39 which is connected to contacts of the relays 33-38. The circuit 39 may comprise indicating means, such as a glow discharge valve 40 having a critical minimum ionizing potential connected across a suitable voltage divider ii. The circuit for energizing the glow discharge valve 40 is completed through the contacts of relays 33-38. The indicating 'or control circuit 39 may be energized from a suitable source of current, such as the alternating current circuit 2, through a transformer 42 having a primary winding 43 and secondary windings 48 and 45. The secondary winding 45 is connected to energize the control or indicating circuit 39.

I also employ a second control or indicating circuit 43 to obtain a controlling effect when one of the electric valves issubjected to irregular operation for a predetermined interval of time. This circuit may comprise a time delay relay of contactor 41 energized from a suitable source, such as a source of direct current 48,

which may be supplied by a. rectifier l9 energized from secondary windings ll of trans- I former l2. Normally, the contactor I1 is in the deenergized position, maintaining its contacts 59 in the closed circuit position. A second relay or contactor 5|, having normally closed contacts 52, is connected to short circuit the actuating coil of contactor 41 under normal operation. The energizing circuit for the actuating coil of relay BI is normallyenergized from secondary windings 45. However, when the contacts of the relays 33-38 close, the actuating coil of relay ii is short-circuited, thereby de-' energizing the coil and permitting the contacts '52 to open and thereby energizing actuating coil' of contactor 41. Contactor 41 may be arranged tooperate with a time delay, so that circuit 46 is not opened unless the fault condition exists for a predetermined time or for a predetermined number of cycles of the voltage of circuit 2.

Certain features of the control and indicating circuits 39 and 43 are disclosed-and claimed in Edwards Patent No. 2,305,380, dated December 15, 1942.

I also provide a relay system or a relay means responsive to the unidirectional magnetization of the core members of the reactors 23-23. Figs. 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate the relay means which I provide and are representative of the reactors 23-28 and associated relays 33-38 in Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, a current-dividing reactor is there illustrated having a core member 83, preferably of the window type, having outer legs 34 and 55 and a middle leg 53, preferably provided with a high reluctance portion such as an air gap 51. The current-dividing winding 29, corresponding to the windings 23 of reactors 23-28 in Fig. l, is provided with terminal connections 30 and 3| and an intermediate connection 32. In order to obtain a controllingeifect in re sponse to the unidirectional magnetization of core member 53, I provide a relay such as relay 33 of Fig. 1 having contact connections 58 and 59. Referring to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, therelay 33 comprises a supporting frame in physical contact with the core structure 53 and comprises flux transmitting members such as soft iron brackets 68 and GI which are positioned in physical contact with the core memment with contact 66.

to the core member 53. or may be attached by other suitable method or device. The relay 33 also comprises a further flux transmitting member 62 which is supported on the bracket iii. The member 32 supports an armature 63, which is attracted to a pole member 8| supported on ,Armature 63 is provided with an arm 65 which is moved thereby to operate contacts 83 and 81 to close these contacts when a unidirectional flux is established in the core 53. A handle 68 is provided to assist in the removal of the cover for the relay.

Adjusting means, such as a screw 69, is provided on the armature 33 to establish or adjust the value of unidirectional flux at which contacts 63 and 61 are closed. In order that the contacts 63 and 61 may be closed within relatively short periods of time, that is, upon each failure to conduct of one of the associated electric valves, a suitable spring member 10 may be provided to prevent excessive movement of the arm 65 so that it is always held in engage- The operation of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1 will be explained by considering the system when it is operating as a polyphase rectifier .to energize the direct current load circuit from the alternating current supply circuit 2. The system operates as a double three-phase system by virtue of the interphase transformer 6. That is, each of the secondary windings in groups 4 and 5 conducts current for 120 electrical degrees but for only 60 electrical degrees with any one other secondary winding in another group. The electric valves l-I8 conduct current sequentially; that is, each pair of electric valves conducts current for 120 electrical degrees during each cycle of the voltage of the circuit 2 but.for only 60 electrical degrees with any one other pair of electric valve means.

So long as each pair of electric valves conducts current in parallel relationship, there is no unldirectional flux established in the core members of the reactors 23-23. Hence, the circuits 39 and 48 will not afford an indication and will not introduce a controlling effect.

If one of the electric valves of a pair fails to conduct current, or misfires, the associated relay mounted on the core member of the associated I reactor will close its contacts, momentarily, im-

her 53. The brackets 33 and GI may be bolted pressing a suitable voltage across the terminals of the glow discharge valve 30, causing this glow valve to be luminescent and thereby affording an indication that one of the electric valves in the system has failed to conduit current at the intended time or has misflred. Concurrently with this action, the closing of the contacts of any one of the relays 33-38 also temporarily short-circuits the actuating coil of contactor 5|. Due to the time delay action of the contactor 41 if this fault exists for a predetermined interval of time, control circuit 43 will be opened by contactor 41 to afford a second indication, an alarm, or to introduce a controlling or protective operation of the electric translating system.

The operation of the relays 33-33 may be more fully appreciated byreferring to Figs. 2

as the associated pair of electric valves conduct current in parallel relationship there will be no unidirectional flux established in the core member 53. However, if one of the electric valves fails to conduct current there will be a net unidirectional magnetization present in the core member .53, causing an unidirectional flux to be established through the middle leg 56. The magconduct unequal or disproportionate currents.-

That is, the relays operate when one of the electric valves of each pair of Valves fails to conduct current during the predetermined intervals of time, and also operate when the electric valves lose control by failing to conduct current during the predetermined intervals. Furthermore, the relays also operate to afford an indication or initiate a controlling operation when the electric valves fail to begin to conduct current at predetermined instants, or when the electric valves periods of conduction.

Contacts 36 and 61 of the relay 33 are operated to the. closed circuit position only in response to a unidirectional magnetization appearing in the core member 53. The short-circuited turn 64' pole for attracting the armature 63 prevents operation of the relay on alternating flux but freely allows the direct current component of flux to pass through the supporting frame for operation of the relay. A path for the alternating current flux in shunt with the armature, the working gap and the short-circuited turn 64' is provided across a gap defined by the end of the frame member 63 and the flux carrying member 62 which is supported on the frame member Bl.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to a particular system of connections and as embodying variou devices diagrammatically shown, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scop of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

. 1. In combination, an inductive device having a core member and a winding having differentially opposed winding sections for impressing on said core member unidirectional and alternati'ng components of magnetization, a magnetic supporting frame in physical contact with said core structure, an armature mounted on said frame and arranged to be actuated when the are late in the initiation of the around the iron forming the magnetic,

I 3 and means associated with said frame including a short-circuited conductor. for preventing actuation of said armature in response to alternating components of magnetization in said core.

2. In combination, an inductive device having a core member provided with a high reluctance section, a winding associated with said core a ing sections for impressing 83 and BI and members member and having a pair of diiferentiaLwindon said core member unidirectional and alternating components of magnetization, a magnetic supporting frame in physical contact with said core structure to bridge said high reluctance section and including an armature mounted on said frame, and means including a short-circuited conductor for preventing alternating magnetization of said frame core member.

3. In combination, an inductive device comprising a core member of the window type having a middle leg provided with a high reluctance portion, a winding wound around said middle leg and comprising a pair of differential winding sections for impressing on said core member unidirectional and alternating components of magnetization, and means responsive to the unidirectional magnetization of said core member comprising a supporting frame in physical conbridge said high reluctance portion, a short-circuited conductor around at least a portion of said frame to suppress the alternating magnetization of said portion of said frame, and an armature member mounted on said frame and responsive to the magnetic flux conducted by said supporting frame.

4. In combination, an inductive device having a core member provided with a relatively high reluctance section and having winding means associated with said core member for producing both alternating and unidirectional-components her so that said armature is flux in said frame attains a predetermined value,

of magnetization, means comprising a magnetic supporting frame in physical contact with said core member and arranged to bridge said high reluctance section, an armature mounted on said frame, a pole member mounted on said frame and constituting a portion of the magnetic circuit of said frame, and means comprising a short circuited conductor around said pole memactuated only in response to unidirectional magnetization of said core member.

5. In combination, an inductive device having a core member provided with a relatively high reluctance section and having winding means associated with said core member for producing both alternating and unidirectional components of magnetization, means comprising a magnetic supporting frame in physical contact with said core member and arranged to bridge said high reluctance section, an armature mounted on same frame, a pole member mounted on said frame and constituting a portion of the magnetic circuit of said frame, and means associated with said frame for preventing operation of said armature due to the presence of alternating components of magnetization in said core member..

6. In combination, an inductive device having a core member provided with a relatively high reluctance section and having winding means associated with said core member for producing both alternating and unidirectional components of magnetization in said core, means comprising a magnetic supporting frame in physical 4 aasoaas comm with said core member and arransed to sore to render said armature responsive solely, bridge said high reluctance section, an armato unidirectional maanetintiou of said oore;and ture moimted on said irame. said frame includmeans for estabiishinla path in shunt with said in a pole portion which, cooperates with said polo portion andsaid armature and cooperating armature to provide a Watkins up. a sbort-cir- I with said shDrt-eircuited conductor tor ahuntinl cuited conductor around. said polo portion for alternating current flux trom said workin: ap. suppressing alternating magnetization 0! said HAROLD W. LORD.- 

